The Little Mermaid Jr.’ on stage at Sauk Theater

andy.barrand@hillsdale.net?JONESVILLE — Crustaceans, tropical fish, mermaids, sea gulls and other sea creatures floated across the stage at the Sauk Theater as they rehearsed Monday evening.?

The Theatre for Youth will bring the underwater adventures of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid Jr.” to life when the curtain opens Thursday night at the theater for an eight-day run.?

The musical, directed by Ron Boyle, features 45 actors — the majority of which are in elementary schools or middle schools in Hillsdale County and the surrounding area.?

“Rehearsals have been going great,” Boyle said.?

With only one night of practice on the Sauk stage left, the cast and crew were working the details out as they ran through the show Monday.?

“I am definitely ready for opening night,” said Lauren Routledge, a Reading Elementary School student who plays Ariel in the musical.?

Routledge, who has been in several productions at the Sauk, said she was excited to see “The Little Mermaid Jr.” on this year’s show schedule. The movie is one of her favorites.?

Although she was just hoping to be cast in the production, she said she was extremely happy to get the lead.?

“Knowing the movie helps me to familiarize myself with the musical,” she said.?

One of the other leads in the play, Prince Eric, was secured by another Sauk Theater veteran, Sebastain Cousins. He is a student at Jonesville High School.?

He said the biggest challenge for him has been getting used to putting the singing, dancing and music together.?

“We are ready for opening night,” he said.?

Trying out for the production, Cousins was hoping to get one of the lead roles.?

The musical ends with Prince Eric asking for Ariel’s hand in marriage, realizing she was the voice he had heard all along while drifting at sea.?

The musical is an abbreviated version of the original Disney movie.?

Boyle said the piece is geared for a younger cast with shorter music and a score to fit the voices of younger singers.?

Boyle directs at least one show a year at the theater. He said he has had a lot of help from volunteers to make the show possible. This is the first time the theater has put on the production.?

The actors began practicing the first part of January. The cast features several children who are new to the stage.?

“Having a younger cast allows you to start growing a younger set of actors,” Boyle said.?

The musical opens with Prince Eric and his crew sailing the sea, where they hear the singing of Ariel. From that point on Prince Eric is on a quest to find the origin of the music.?

Page 2 of 2 - The musical features songs from the movie including “Part of Your World,” “She’s in Love,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Under the Sea.”?

Despite being a veteran actress Routledge said she still gets a little nervous every time she steps on stage. Her favorite musical she has been in was “Godspell.”?

She said she has several friends and family that are planning on coming to one of the productions.?

The show is sponsored by Jennifer Evans at DARR Real Estate. Costumes were made possible by a grant from the Hillsdale County Community Foundation.?

The show opens Thursday with shows Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The musical also runs the following week March 14-17. Daily shows start at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7:30 p.m.; reservations need to be claimed by 7:45 p.m. Sunday shows are at 3 p.m. with doors opening at 2:30 p.m. and reservations are to be claimed by 2:45 p.m. To make reservations contact the theater at 849-9217.?

Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students (12 and under) and seniors.?